USC defense is picking on quarterbacks

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USC Trojan safety Ykili Ross (14) during USC Spring practice on Brian Kennedy/ Howard Jones Field on the campus of the University of Southern California on Tuesday, March, 21, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/SCNG)

“I looked at the quarterback,” he said, “and immediately broke on it.”

The pass from Fink was tipped in this 11-on-11 period by defensive end Christian Rector before Ross snagged it for an interception. He returned it for a touchdown.

It was one of two interceptions on Thursday by Ross, a redshirt sophomore safety who is pushing to be USC’s nickelback this season.

Asked about the sequence a day later, Ross credited his awareness, bringing up an often-cited phrase by secondary coach Ronnie Bradford.

“Know the defense so well, you see where the offense is trying to break you down,” Ross repeated.

Through the first week of training camp, the Trojans’ defense has come away with its share of interceptions. In the three practices prior to Friday, it had picked off nine passes, including four on quarterback Sam Darnold. There were no turnovers Friday.

Most of the players credited familiarity. They are entering their second season under defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. They say they know where to line up, can move quickly and can better anticipate where the offense might go.

“It comes back to us being more comfortable,” junior linebacker Cameron Smith said. “It’s not anything we changed differently. It’s now we have the ability, because we’re not there feeling it out. We’re just out there playing ball. I think those big plays, and interceptions, and fumbles, and those things happen when you’re in the right spot.”

Smith intercepted a pass by Darnold in a 7-on-7 drill during Monday’s practice.

“We can come out here and line up and move very fast,” redshirt junior cornerback Ajene Harris said, “because we’re pretty much used to this playbook.”

Harris, like Smith, said more players are better positioned.

“I feel like I’m going to continue to be in better position, too,” he added. “That goes for the whole secondary.”

Last season, USC forced 20 turnovers, including 14 interception. That put it in the middle of the pack, ranking sixth in the Pac-12 and 60th among the 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in turnovers gained.

This fall, Smith believes they can force more.

“That’d be huge for our defense to take the next step,” he said.

Smith called it an “emphasis” in training camp.

The Trojans also boast several returning starters in their secondary, safety Marvell Tell mentioned.

Tell, for one, started all 13 last season. Safety Chris Hawkins, who had an interception on Monday, started four games last season, but rotated in heavily. Cornerback Iman Marshall has started the past two seasons as well.

That helps with Pendergast.

“We’re just used to what he wants and are able to play fast,” Tell said. “Clancy puts us in great spots. And on top of that, our mentality as a defense is we’re hungry, we want to be out here, we want to play, we want to fly around, be physical.”

Joey Kaufman is the USC beat writer for the Southern California News Group. Since joining the Orange County Register in 2015, he has also covered Major League Baseball and UCLA athletics. His work has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors and Football Writers Association of America. Kaufman grew up in beautiful downtown Burbank.